Copenhagen: Green Economy Leader report

Copenhagen is widely recognised as a green economy leader. The Copenhagen region accounts for almost 40% of Denmark’s output and has enjoyed long-term stable growth. At a national level, Danish GDP per capita is ranked among the top 10 countries in the world. At the same time, the city’s growth has been delivered while improving environmental performance and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

This new report, produced by LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science in partnership with the City of Copenhagen, shows that the city continues to build on its pioneering success. Copenhagen has set itself the ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2025, and the report looks at the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering this transformative agenda.

Featuring a wealth of new research findings, the report shows how Copenhagen’s success is underpinned by a strong combination of the city’s green growth drivers. A number of these drivers rank among the best in Europe and the world, including the city’s compact urban form, strong innovation, high skills and employment, low carbon emissions, and improved environmental quality.

The report also examines the challenges that Copenhagen will face in maintaining its position as a green economy leader internationally.

The project’s research director, Graham Floater, said:

“Copenhagen has left many cities behind in the race to a green economy. And rather than resting on its laurels, the city aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral capital city in 2025 – that raises enormous challenges, but also opportunities for growth-enhancing innovation.”